KALAMAZOO, MI – While the numbers for the Western Michigan pass defense were especially flattering last season, the statistics for the Broncos' front seven were particularly ugly.

WMU's secondary was the best in the Mid-American Conference and third in the country last season, giving up 169.2 yards per game. However, the Broncos' eight interceptions were tied for the fewest total in the league.

One reason for that could be the lack of pressure put on opposing quarterbacks as Western Michigan recorded a total of seven sacks last year. That number was not only the worst in the MAC but also in the country out of 123 teams. Graduated senior defensive lineman Travonte Boles was the only player to record more than one sack last year as he was credited with 1.5.

WMU was the only team in the country to fail to reach a double-digit sack total – Navy, New Mexico State and UMass had the second fewest quarterback sacks with 11 each.

The Broncos weren't much better against the run, giving up 250 yards per game on the ground, which was the second-worst mark in the MAC.

If WMU is to improve on its scoring defense that ranked 11th out of 13 teams and a total defense that ranked ninth the Broncos will need a bigger push from their front seven, beginning with the defensive line.

Starter: Jarrell McKinney: The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder is the leading returning defensive lineman as he came up with 44 tackles. The lengthy junior from Detroit appeared in all 12 games last season and made 10 starts.

Backup: Andre Turner: The 6-3, 220-pound redshirt freshman was ranked as one of the top recruits in the state of Michigan coming out of Chandler Park Academy in Harper Woods. After redshirting last year, Turner will have a chance to compete for playing time.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Starter: Cleveland Smith: The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder played and started in 10 games last year. He finished with 23 tackles, five of which went for loss. He played in 11 games as a freshman in 2012. Based on his experience he should be the first-string tackle entering camp, but he is likely to be pushed.

Backup: Jamar Simpkins: The 6-3, 280-pounder showed steady improvement last year as a freshman. He played in 11 games, starting two of them, and finished with 21 tackles. He recorded one of the team's seven sacks. Simpkins should make a strong push for not only playing time, but the right to start.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Richard AshMLive file

Starter: Richard Ash: The 6-3, 315-pound fifth-year senior transfer from the University of Michigan is expected to step in right away and give the Broncos some help up front. Ash was a three-year letterman with the Wolverines. He recorded 45 tackles, four sacks and recovered two fumbles last year with U-M. He recorded 84 tackles, five sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a junior.

Backup: David Curle: The 6-2, 290-pounder played in nine games as a freshman last year. He recorded 11 tackles and was a solid contributor. The Shelby Township native should see consistent playing time and if he shows the kind of development he did a season ago he could make even more of an impact this season.

DEFENSIVE END

Starter: Keion Adams: As a freshman he played in 11 games and started five of them. The 6-3, 230-pounder from Salisbury, N.C. was a solid contributor and is the player to beat out as the starter at one defensive end position. He finished with 23 tackles and recorded one of the team's seven sacks last season.

Backup: Nathan Braster: The 6-4, 245-pounder was a two-star recruit coming out of Fort Wayne, Ind. He was the No. 16-rated recruit coming out of the state of Indiana by Rivals.com.

ALSO ON THE ROSTER

Redshirt freshmen Khairi Bailey (6-3, 250) and Devante Lee (6-6, 230) were both highly-touted players coming into WMU last year. Lee originally signed with Middle Tennessee State and had to sit out a season due to NCAA transfer rules.